EAGLE- G/T Program Orientation / 2023

EAGLE / G-T Program

Main Office Location

302 West Dunlap Street

Lancaster, SC 29720

Serving students from Brooklyn Springs, Buford, Clinton, Discovery, Erwin, Harrisburg, Heath Springs, Indian Land, Kershaw, North, McDonald Green, and Van Wyck Elementary Schools

Who are our “gifted” children?

• They are students who have demonstrated high performance ability or potential in academic and/or artistic areas and therefore require an educational program beyond that normally provided…

What are some differences between high achievers, gifted learners & creative thinkers?

On the other hand…gifted children can present…

In addition…pay attention to…

Cautions…

How do students qualify for the EAGLE Program?

Must meet two out of three dimensions for state qualification:

• Aptitude test scores
• Achievement test scores
• Performance Task scores

What about “local” criteria placement?

Must meet one of the state-required dimensions and score very highly in a second dimension

• No distinction is made in services provided
• Additional testing is required to help qualify for “state” placement

What does the “EAGLE” acronym stand for?

E = enrichment &

A = acceleration

for the

G = gifted

L = learners’

E = education

Who’s included in the EAGLE faculty?�How qualified are they?

Who’s included in the EAGLE faculty?�How qualified are they? (cont.)

Who’s included in the EAGLE support staff?

Where is the EAGLE Program?

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Site-based services are provided at all elementary schools for elementary students identified as academically gifted and talented. Program office is located at Discovery School in Lancaster.

What are the Key Components of the EAGLE Program

• Multiple Intelligences
• Kaplan’s Dimensions of Depth & Complexity
• Harvard’s Visible Thinking
• Shared Inquiry / Jr. Great Books
• Social & Emotional Health
• Thinking Maps (Visible Thinking)
• Concept-development
• Smithsonian Hands-On Science & Problem-Solving plus M3 Math
• STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts & mathematics)
• STEM Blueprints
• Generation Genius

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Which units of instruction will students work with this year?

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• School year 2023-2024 will continue with our focus on the introduction of Harvard University’s Project Zero (strategies and thinking routines for Visible Thinking) for identified gifted and talented students.
• Based on diagnostic assessments and a thorough review of available data, students’ strengths and interests will be determined and a course of study will be suggested for each student based on those strengths and interests. Activities and projects will be suggested, assigned, and assessed for students based on a Personal Education Plan that will be created for each student.
• An end-of-semester OR end-of-year EAGLE Showcase will highlight the work and visible thinking experienced by our students.

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Multiple Intelligences/ Harvard’s Visible Thinking �Kaplan’s Dimensions of Depth & Complexity & PBL

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These represent the research-based framework for our instruction this year.

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• For more information, here are a few suggested websites:
• Visible Thinking: http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/visible-thinking
• Multiple Intelligences: https://www.institute4learning.com/resources/articles/multiple-intelligences/

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• Depth & Complexity Model: https://www.byrdseed.com/introducing-depth-and-complexity/
• Problem-Based Learning: https://study.com/learn/lesson/problem-based-learning-overview-examples.html

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G/T Curriculum / elementary

• Junior Great Books (Shared Inquiry) grades 3, 4 & 5 https://www.greatbooks.org/
• M-3 Mathematics (grades 3, 4 & 5) https://k12.kendallhunt.com/program/project-m3-mentoring-mathematical-minds-grades-3-6
• Generation Genius & Kessler Science (grades 3, 4 & 5) https://www.generationgenius.com/

• Changing Tomorrow – G/T Leadership (grades 3, 4 & 5) https://www.amazon.com/Changing-Tomorrow-Book-Leadership-High-Ability/dp/1593639538
• STEM Biography Blueprints (grades 3, 4 & 5) https://ualr.edu/gifted/curriculum/stemblueprints/
• Smithsonian Science (grades 3, 4 & 5) https://ssec.si.edu/smithsonian-science-for-the-classroom

What about homework, make-up work, and projects?

• Most schools and classroom teachers understand that students are engaged in learning at a higher level when they are with us and they adjust assignments accordingly.
• Our “homework” and classwork often take the form of long-term or short-term projects.
• The EAGLE Program is non-graded and therefore, less stressful for students.
• For most students, their EAGLE time is the highlight of the week!

Why is participation so important?

• Our G/T curricular activities and projects often build from week to week.

• Attendance is based on a combination of factors including activity & project completion and active participation in live and online discussions.

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• Regular participation teaches (reinforces) the concept of responsibility.

How is my child’s progress assessed?

• We believe in building a strong work ethic and a sense of continuous improvement with our students.
• Work is assessed through rubrics and teacher observations.
• Progress reports are issued each nine-week grading period.

How do we collaborate with our students’ regular classroom teachers?

• At least once each 4.5 weeks we communicate and collaborate with classroom teachers via e-mail or direct visit to determine if there are any problems that need to be addressed (i.e. falling grades, lack of participation, etc.).
• Professional Development opportunities are provided through the G/T Program on a very regular basis.
• Classroom teachers have the option of taking graduate-level classes in G/T through our district on a regular basis.

How do we communicate with each other?

• Mailings/Flyers
• E-mail
• Google Classroom & Google Meets
• Our Web Page
• Telephone Calls (during office hours)
• Face to Face Conferences
• Messages via Blackboard Connect, Remind, Dojo, etc.
• You Can Reach Us at 803-416-8910 at Discovery School or by calling individual schools

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What’s in EAGLE Talk (the parent handbook)?

• Program Philosophy
• Information about all three levels of services for students
• Summer Program information
• Links to web sites
• Glossary of important terms

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Additional Information…

• Our web site is:

https://sites.google.com/lcsd.k12.sc.us/gt-eagles/home

• Joining GT-IDEAS (forms will be available online)
• T-Shirts & Sweatshirts (forms will be available online)

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Questions???